INSENSITIVE AND INAPPROPRIATE!

That's how Opposition MP Michael Lashley has described Government's plan to build a $400 000 beach facility at Browne's Beach, Bay Street, St Michael.

On Sunday, Minister of the Environment, Elizabeth Thompson, announced the cost of the project would come close to that of the Silver Sands, Christ Church bath. That facility was the subject of controversy after its $432 000 cost was revealed in 2004.

The National Conservation Commission's (NCC) general manager, Keith Neblett, whose office oversaw the construction then, blamed staff absenteeism and inefficiency as contributing to the high cost.

But Lashley told the DAILY NATION yesterday though he had no objections to the building of a beach facility, he had grave concerns about the high cost.

He said Government had admitted previously that the cost was too high and asked whether Thompson's warning of possible contention, was an early attempt to diffuse concerns over another exorbitant exercise.

"If you are admitting that the last bath was too expensive, why build another one at the same price? We are in an environment where this Government has been struggling to provide seven primary homes since Christmas; struggling to provide homes for the poor; and struggling to provide adequate accommodation for people with disabilities," he said.

Lashley said if Government kept true to its record, the project would involve wastage. This money, he added, could go toward providing proper roads in rural communities such as his own St Philip North constituency.

He noted Government had boasted it could provide reasonable houses at $40 000 and this was an ideal opportunity to divert the $400 000 toward the construction of at least ten houses.

In 2003 the NCC also built a beach facility at Worthing for $280 000, inclusive of material and labour.